Halloween Fest set in Ti; Haunted Fort to return

TICONDEROGA Ticonderoga will be haunted by its past and present next week. Halloween Fest will be held in the community Oct. 29-31. The spooktacular event will be highlighted by the return of the Haunted Fort and the traditional downtown trick-or-treat day. Kicking off the Halloween Fest will be a carved pumpkin contest Wednesday, Oct. 29, for all ages and families sponsored by the Ticonderoga Main Street Partnership. Contestants are asked to bring their already-carved pumpkins, lit by a battery light, to Bicentennial Park between 4-5 p.m. Winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m. The winning pumpkins will be displayed at Fort Ticonderoga during the Haunted Fort. Entry fee is $5 and six $50 prizes will be awarded. For contest rules or information call Kristi Mars at 585-6366. In the event of bad weather, the contest will be held at the Ti Armory. The popular Haunted Fort will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30 and 31, at Fort Ticonderoga. The Haunted Fort originated with Richie Cunningham of the Ticonderoga Festival Guild and was held for years until recent construction at the fort forced it to end. The construction is finished and the Haunted Fort is back, although it is no longer associated with the festival guild. Organizer Mike Edson has chosen The Legend of Duncan Campbell as the Haunted Fort theme, which is certain to have the spirits of fallen soldiers rising from their graves eager for their revenge. Tickets will be on sale both evenings 6-9 p.m. at $8 per body, in the Log House. The tours will continue until all have made it through alive. Duncan Campbell was a member of the 42nd Highland Regiment of the Black Watch from Scotland who died at Fort Ticonderoga in 1758. His death here was eerily foretold by the ghost of his slain cousin after Campbell unwittingly hid the murderer from an angry mob. Angry mobs, dead soldiers and murderers running for cover will greet visitors on the grounds and in the hidden passages of the fort. More than 75 volunteers will be roaming the site to treat each guest to an especially ghastly array of surprises. Edson, a Ticonderoga teacher and Ti Fife & Drum Corps major, will direct the action along with help from Jim Cawley and the members of his Star Trek acting company. This haunted jaunt is not for the squeamish or faint of heart and children younger than age 10 are not admitted. Warm clothes and good walking shoes are recommended. For more information go online at www.fort-ticonderoga.org Halloween Fest will conclude Friday, Oct. 31, with the annual downtown Ticonderoga trick-or-treat 3:30-5 p.m. Participating merchants will have a pumpkin in their window. At the same time the Ticonderoga American Legion on Montcalm Street will host games, food, hay rides and more for children. For information call 585-3072.